Birth Of A Refreshing Idea

Old Coke sign curtosey of Dominic's Pics

The Coca-Cola company started 110 years ago as a small, insignificent one man business. Since then, it has grown into one of the largest companies in the world. The first chairman of the company was Dr. John Pemberton and the current chairman is Roberto Goizueta. The demand for the product has made this company into a 50 billion dollar business.

Coca-Cola was invented by Dr. John Pemberton, an Atlanta pharmacist. He concocted the formula in a three legged brass kettle in his backyard on May 8, 1886 by mixing lime, cinnamon, coca leaves, and the seeds of a Brazilian shrub. Coca-Cola as he called the beverage, made its debut in Atlanta's largest pharmacy, Jacob's Pharmacy, as a five cent-non carbonated drink. Later on, the carbonated water was added to the syrup to make the beverage that we know today.

Coca-Cola was orginally used as a nerve and brain tonic and a medical elixir.Coca-Cola was named by Frank Robinson, one of Pemberton's close friends, he also penned the famous Coca-Cola logo in unique script. Dr. Pemberton sold a portion of the Coca-Cola company to Asa Candler. He was forced to sell because he was in poor health and in debt. In time, Candler acquired the whole company for $2,300, Candler did a lot during his time as owner. On January 31, 1893, the famous Coca-Cola formula was patented. Dr. Pemberton never realized the potential of the beverage he created, he sold his business prior to his death in 1888.

In 1892 Candler incorporated a second company. The Coca-Cola Company (the current corporation), and in 1910 Candler had the earliest records of the company burned, further obscuring its legal origins. By the time of its 50th anniversary, the drink had reached the status of a national icon for the USA.

Coca-Cola was sold in bottles for the first time on March 12, 1894. The first outdoor wall advertisement was painted in the same year. The first bottling company for Coca-Cola was 1899, the site was Chattanooga, Tennessee. Coke concentrate syrup, was and is sold separately at pharmacies in small quantities, as an over the counter remedy for nausea or mildly upset stomach.

In 1985 the Coca-Cola Company made what has been known as one of the biggest marketing blunders. The company developed a new formula in efforts to produce a diet coke. They invested 4 million dollars into research to come up with a new formula. The decision to change their formula and pull the old coke off the market came about because taste tests showed a distinct preference for the new formula. The new formula was a sweeter variation with less tang, it was also slightly smoother. This was a mistake, consumers jamed the line to coke objecting to the new taste and the company was looseing millions a day. On July 10, 1985, eighty-seven days after the new Coke was introduced, the old coke was brought back in addition to the new one.

The Coca-Cola Company has, on occasion, introduced other cola drinks under the Coke brand name. The most common of these is Diet Coke, Caffeine-Free-Coca-Cola, Diet Coke caffeine-free, Coca-Cola Cherry, Coca-Cola Zero, Coca-Cola Vanilla and special editions with lemon, lime or coffee. The actual production and distribution of Coca-Cola follows a franchising model. The Coca-Cola Company only produces a syrup concentrate, which it sells to bottlers throughout the world who hold Coca-Cola franchises for one or more geographical areas. The bottlers produce the final drink by mixing the syrup with filtered water and sweeteners and then carbonate it before putting it in cans and bottles, which the bottlers then sell and distribute to retail stores, vending machines, restaurants and food service distributors

A few catch ups; After 1904, instead of using fresh leaves, Coca-Cola started using "spent" leaves-the leftovers of the cocaine-extraction process with cocaine trace levels left over at a molecular level, today they use a cocaine-free coca leaf extract. In January 2009, C0ca-Cola stopped printing the word "Classic" on the labels of 16 ounce bottles sold in parts of the USA. 1940's, during the war, 64 bottling plants were set up around the world to supply our troops.

Some slogan over the years; 1886 "Coca-Cola-Delicious-Refreshing, Exhilarating. 1929 "The Pause Thar Refreshes". 1943 "A Taste All It's Own". 1954 "For People On The Go". 1971 "I'd Like To Buy The World A Coke". 1993 "Always Coca-Cola". The Coca-Cola bottling system grew up with roots deeply in local communities. This heritage serves the Company well today as people seek brands that honor local identity and the distinctiveness of local markets. As was true a century ago, strong locally based relationships between Coca-Cola bottlers, customers and communities are the foundation on which the entire business grows.

I really like to research this history, but like all companies it is impossible to write down everything that has gone on. I sure would like to find some of the real old memorabilia, such as coke bottle, advertising items and some of those beautiful old serving trays with those old time gals on them. Have a great summer, get out and enjoy yourselves.

The Old Barn

Old Barn photo courtesy of Robb North

I have set out by the fields, unnoticed and unused for about fifty years. The old house has long been torn down and removed. I was built about a century ago of sturdy timbers and with loving hands, the neighbors came from miles around to help with the building. I was so proud to stand up straight and tall, I even had a nice red shiny coat of paint, which has long faded.

My hayloft was always full of hay and the children would play in the hay for hours, even the family cat slept here and had her kittens. The stall's were always full of cows and horses. I loved the sounds that were made here and when night came the doors were closed, it felt safe and comfortable. The only sound was the wise old owl, the bats flew in and out, I could hear the soft breathing of the animals, I forgot to mention the scurrying of thr mice.

Now I am lonley and dusty, spiders and mice are my only company, my doors have been closed for nearly fifty years. The hayloft still has hay waiting to be used. The stalls have only cobwebs clinging to there sides, they were cleaned out long ago.

Today, I heard a creak, then my front doors slowly swung open, a lady came in very slow as if not to disturb the ghost past. The air in here has not been disturbed for half century. The back doors was also opened, this created a soft breeze, it came in to mingle with the dust that had been in here for years. The smell of the fresh breeze brought back memories of a time long ago, it swirled the dust around and blew it out the back door. I could even feel the hay move a little.

Something bright and shinny was creeping in the front doors, it was warm and friendly, I recall it and remember how it warmed me in the early morning. She was still in here, I can feel her walking around, it felt so good to have someone in here. Then she opened a small door, went in, looked around and approched a small shelf, reached out her hand and found what she was looking for. Years ago, when she was a young child, and they were moving away, she put the turtle she had made at school way back in the corner of the shelf, she promised the turtle she would come back for it someday, and was glad no one had found it.

As she was closing up the old barn she turned to whisper a promise to the old barn, she also would return and rebuild the old home she once lived in as a child. Do we have treasurers that we have tucked away and promised some day to be back. I know we all clean out closets, old boxes and drawers to find at our surprise things we still have from long ago. The treasure from the past can spark many a memories, perhaps given by a loved one we no longer have with us.

Celebrate the 4th 0f July

John Trumbull's famous painting depicting the signing of the Declaration.

Americans celebrate July 4th as Independence Day because it was July 4th, 1776 that members of the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia adopted the final draft of the Decleration of Independence. Following its adoption, the Declaration was read to the public in various American cities, whenever they heard it patriots erupted in cheers and celebration.

In 1777, Philadelphians remembered the 4th of July, bells were rung, guns fired, candles lighted and firecrackers set off. However, while the war for Independence dragged on, July 4th celebrations were modest at best.

When the war was ended in 1783, July 4th became a holiday in some places. In Boston it replaced the date of the Boston Massacre, March 5th, as the major patriotic holiday. Speeches, military events, parades and fireworks marked the day. In 1941, Congress declared July 4th a federal holiday.

While the Fourth is celebrated across the country, historic cities like Boston and Philadelphia draws huge crowds. Philadelphia holds its celebration at Independence Hall, where historic scenes are reenacted and the Declaration of Independence is read. The Declaration and the American Revolution have since inspired freedom-seekers the world over. Overtime various other summer time activities also came to be associated with July 4th, including historical pagents, parades, picnics, games and many more outdoor activities.

I hope you have a very safe July 4th, and go out and celebrate it with your town. Be safe above all, light your fircrackers and sparkles with care, just have a wonderful time and say a prayer for our country and the fore-fathers who drafted the Declaration, may they rest in peace.

History of Galapagos Islands

Photo of Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

These islands are located just below the equator, 600 miles off the coast of Equador in South America. There are around 19 volcanic islands and range in different sizes. The oldest island are over 4 million years old, while the youngest islands are still being formed today. The islands has fascinated people for hundreds of years. There is so much wildlife; such as Penguins, tropical birds, albatross, blue footed boobies, pelicans, gull birds, hawks, finches, snakes, iguanas, totties and the Komodo dragons and much more. Sounds like a wonderful place to visit, no wonder Darwin fell in love with this place.

The Galapagos Island were first discovered by accident in 1535, when Thomas Berlanga's ship was carried out to the islands by the ocean currents. Later in 1835 the islands were studied by Charles Darwin, he was fresh out of college when he went on his expedition to Galapagos Island, aboard a ship named HMS Beagle.

Darwins very radical idea on the structure of the living world transformed biology from a collection of curious but disconnected facts into a vigorous and unified science. His theory of evolution by natural selection originated during a five year voyage around the world as a naturalist on board the HMS Beagle.The first crude navigation of the islands was done by Ambrose Cowley in 1864. He named the individual island after some of his fellow pirates or English Noblemen, later they were renamed.

The Galapagos Islands are a place born of fire. In the last 200 years a remarkable fifty plus eruptions have occurred, some threatening the fauna and flora, some creating new land, such as the lava flow on Santiago Island, this was unseen in Darwins time. As the tectonic plates move (at a rate of about 5cm per year) the volcanic activity moves with them, creating newer islands to the west and reducing activity of older islands to the east.

The islands animals are unique in the world, do to its exotic wild life and environment, that can only be seen in the group of beautiful and enchanted islands located in the Pacific Ocean. The animals in the Galapagos are unafraid of man and they are so different from any others found elsewhere. This fact make visitors wonder about their very existence on our planet. Galapagos Islands wild life is one of the major attractions and there are thousands of visitors a year.

There are a few islands that have inhabited towns, most of the islands do not. Two of the islands have airports. The towns are small but are well equipped with modern conveniences.You are not allowed anywhere on the island without a tour guide and not allowed off the trails. The high season for tourists to visit is usually June to August. Tourists with interest in the volcanic origins may prefer to visit in the cool dry season, when conditions are more pleasant for hiking. I enjoyed posting this and I hope you enjoy it as well.

A National Treasure—Yellowstone National Park

Emerald pool in Yellowstone National Park.

The park is located at the headwaters of the Yellowstone River, from which it gets its name. The park spans three states, stretching from Wyoming out into Idaho and Montana, the largest area is in Wyoming. The park allows animals to run free and undisturbed. There are bears, elks, bison, birds and more. Travelers can drive or walk through the park at their own will.

In 1872 Ulysses S. Grant set aside as a park for the benefit and enjoyment of the people. However within twenty years financial support begin to dwindle, because of the lack of the ability of the common man to see the glory of Yellowstone Park. With the luck the railroad began to cater to the common tourist, bringing money and visitors to Yellowstone. Also, due to the mass production of the automobile the visitors to the park quadrupled. In 1970 attention strayed away from the History of the park and became more interested in conservation.

Camping is a favorite activity and hiking the many trails. There is camp grounds, such as, Slough Creek Campground, this is a major favorite spot in the park. The Other favorites are, Old Faithful Inn Hotel, fits beautifully into its surroundings and it is completely built of logs and is located within the park boundaries. The Lake Yellowstone Hotel is also located within the park boundries, it is a modern get-a-way, has enormous fireplace. You had better make hotel reservations well in advance for these popular hotel's, due to their central location. In 2004 Yellowstone Inn celebrated its 100th anniversary, with a year long celebration.

Yellowstone Park is the largest park in all the states. It has some of the most famous park features, such as Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon and freely roaming herds of buffalo's, its the largest wild life preserve, an enormous lake, the Continental Divide and over 1,000 miles of trails.

Over 600,000 years ago the central portion of the park exploded and collapsed, leaving a smoldering caldera 28 by 47 miles in size. There is evidence that the area was used by hunters for at least five thousand years. The first white man to visit the park area was probably mountain men and John Colter an adventurer who wandered throughout the area and also trappers. The Hayden Geological survey of 1871, piqued public interest and the work of painter Thomas Morgan.

Yellowstone Hot Spot is a section where the thickness of the earths crust is extremely thin, the magma below the crust is less than two miles. The planet's internal heat is closer to the surface here than anywhere. Water seeps down through the ground here, until it is superheated, it begins to rise and eventually returns to earth as a geyser, this trip from surface to surface may take 500 years.

There are many creeks and rivers in the park. Firehole River flows toward the Upper Geyser Basin and this river is warm all year round. Lewis River has a falls named after it, this river is in the south central portion of Yellowstone Park. Yellowstone Lake is in the central portion of the park, it is the largest lake in the world, over 7,000 feet, the coast of the lake is over one hundred miles in length, this lake was once twice its size.

Steam rises from volcanic hot springs in Yellowstone.

There is so much to write about, this park is so fascinating and full of history. There are rumors that the volcanic part of the park could erupt, but scientist do not know when it might happen. They have sensors all over the park, monitoring thie activity of the magma. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did posting it, but this only touches on the information about the park.